Selector mechanism



NOV. 6, 195] w, EN 2,574,138

SELECTOR MECHANISM Original Filed June 14, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1INVEINTOR WALTER J. ZENNER @AT/TZODRNE;

w. J. ZENNER 2,574,138

Nov. 6, 1951 SELECTOR MECHANISM Original Filed June 14, 1945 5Sheets-Sheet 2 4 lNVENTOR WALTER J. ZENNER ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1951 r w. J.ZENNER 2,574,138

SELECTOR MECHANISM Original Filed June 14, 1945 5 sheis-sheet 5 2o| I85n, 209 2o? 209 n7 'HG. 7 I I INVENTOR BY WALTER J. ZENNER ATTORNEY .Nov.6, 1951 w. J. ZENNER I 2,574,138

SELECTOR MECHANISM Original Filed June 14, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 23a" BYFIG.9 v

ATTORNEY NOV. 6, 195] w, J ZENNER 2,574,138

SELECTOR MECHANISM Original Filed June 14, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG 8INVENTOR L WALTER J. ZENNER i atented Nov. 6, i951 SELECTOR MECHANISMWalter J. Zenner, Des Plaines, Ill., assignor'to Teletype Corporation,Chicago,- 111:, acorporation of Delaware Original application June 14,1945, Serial No,

599,322. Divided and this application March j 17, 1948, Serial No.15,350 V 9 Claims.

system is provided by primary sequential control 7 equipment located atone primary switching center or master control station on the loopcircuit. The system according to the present invenion utilizes selectorequipment at each way station, which is always connected to the line andsurveys all traflic passing over the line.

A sequence collection transmission on this system starts with thetransmission from the primary or central station of a predeterminedsequence of characters which includes a two or more letter stationidentification of the first way station from which transmission isdesired. At this point transmission from the primary or central stationequipment ceases and the secondary or way station equipment, recognizingthe identification letters of its station, starts transmission of themessage (for example, weather information) Waiting in the form ofpreviously prepared perforated tape. At the conclusion of this message,end-of-message signals in the message tape are transmitted to shut downtransmission from the way station and automatically activate the primaryor central station equipment to transmit the station identificationletters of the next desired way station to be called in. The sequence oftransmission of station identification letters at the primary station iscontained in a continuous loop of perforated tape. The loop of tape needbe changed only when a rearrangement of the order in which stationtransmission occurs is desired.

In the system according to the present invention it is contemplated thatweather information shall be collected hourly, at which timestransmission of such information, which has been previously prepared onperforated tapes, from each station will occur automatically under thecontrol of the master control station in predetermined order in responseto the operation of a switch at the master control station. Pursuant tothe operation of said switch, the entire sequence collection will takeplace automatically; As a preliminary to transmission, the primary'ormaster control station attendant .opens the line for a predeterminedinterval to stop any transmitter distributor which may be operating onthe circuit.- Following this, a sequence collection switch is operatedand a so-called sequence collection heading is transmitted from thecontrol tape in the primary (orcentralstation) trans mitter distributor.This heading comprises. a group of signal codes, which precede eachhourly weather sequence collection, which information is included in theafore-mentioned continuous loop of tape; for example, Lettersc'o'de,Station Identification (call letters ofthecentral orimaster controlstation), carriage return code, ten line feed signals, S and C charactercodes (signifyin Sequence Collection), space signal, Circuit-1 of Originnumber, Space, Date-Time group codes, letters, carriage return, and"line feed? The foregoing codes control the pageprinter in. thefollowing manner: The .letters" code places the printer in condition toprint lower case characters. The station identification letters are thenprinted on the page and the carriage return signal returns thecarriage'tothe beginning-of line position. The ten line feed signalsprovide a space'between thestation heading and the first line ofprinting. The first characters-are S and C meaning. sequence collection.Then the circuit of origin number-is printed, followed by the date andtime when the weather information'is taken, after which the printer isconditioned in the unshift position, the carriage is returned to thebeginning of linev position and the paper is spaced to present the'nextline ofprinting preparatory to receivinglthe weather report fromtheseveral way stations. Then the proper condition, select and lock codesof the first way station are transmitted, after which the primarystation transmitter distributor stops. The equipment at the selected waystation responds to these codes'and starts transmission of the datacontained in the perforated tape at the waystation (for example, theweather information). v I

At the'end, of ;the data (or weather information) transmission an unlockcode is transmitted by the. way station. This code stops thetransmitterdistributor at the outlying or way station and is recognized by theprimaryor master control unit for the purpose of starting the transmission of the actuating codes for the next way station to be called in.In the event ofv thefailure of the-called station to transmit the unlockcode at the end of transmission of-weatherinformation therefrom, or ifthe selected way station does not respond at the end of a given periodof time, an auxiliary distributor at the primary or master controlstation will transmit a predetermined code signal followed by the unlockcode. In this event, the unlock code will activate the primary or mastercontrol station equipment in the usual manner to start transmission ofthe actuating codes for the next way station transmission. This cyclewill be repeated until the last selected station has reported,whereupon-an appropriate signal, which is contained in-the loop of tape,is transmitted from the primary'or central station, the effect of whichis to shut down the apparatus at the central station.

A better understanding of the inventionmay be had from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein,

Fig. l is a front viewof the primary sequential o 0 n t; ocstd;at thecen ralo ma -co trol station;

Fig. 2 is a top viewof the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 isa sectional view taken substantially on line 3.,3 of Fig. ,2;

Fig.4 is asectional view taken substantially on line 4--.4 of Fig.2;

Fig. 5 is .afrontview of the control apparatus located at each ofthewaYstations of a loop circuit;

Fig. dis a top view of apparatus shown in Fig.5;

Fig. 7 .is a sectional view takensubstantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8.15 a schematic diagram of the electrical circuits. at the centralor master control station and way station;

Fig. 9 is a diagram of the loop circuit embodying the arrangementaccordingto the present invention, and.

Fig. 10 is afragmentary perspective view showing the. relationship.between the. contact controlling ratchet assembly and the cutout levers.

Havingreferenceto Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the primary unit comprises aframe II which houses and supports the.various mechanisms comprising-theunit. For example, a, motor I2 is suitably supported-in the frame II,and has a pinion |3 secured to the armature shaft l4. Pinion l3mesheswith a gear |5 carried on an operating shaft i5 journaled intheside portions of frame Shaft |6 carries thereon a selector cam memberl1, operating cams l8 and I9, eccentric 2| and friction clutches 22v and23. Friction clutch 23-because of pressure exerted by compression spring24 tends to rotate the selector cam member I! but this rotation isprevented by a stop arm 25w-hich cooperates with a stop disc '25 of thefriction clutch 23. Stop arm 25 iscarried on the selector magnetarmature 21 and'operates torelease the disc 25 for rotation when-theselector -magnet-armature 21 is released in responseto-a start impulse,as is well'known in-the art. Theoperating-cam sleeve 20, carrying camsl8 and I9, and eccentric 2|, is released for rotation by acam projection(not shown) on cam sleeve ll actingthrough-a trip-off bailidentifledby-the-numeric 28, in the manner similar to that shown in Fig.5 ofU. S. Patent No. 1,989,- 710, issued February 5, 1935, to A. H.Reiber et al. When the bail 23is operated, itunlatches a stop disc 29,which .is a .part of friction clutch 22, for a single cycle. ofrotation.

Aselector magnet 3| is mounted'on a bracket l21securedtothe main-frameand operates the selector armature lever 21 which is pivotallyarticulated to bracket 32 and is normally biased clockwise (as viewed inFig. 1) by a spring 33. With normal marking current on the signal linethe armature 2'! assumes the attracted position shown in Figs. 1 and 2tothereby hold the selector cam sleeve l1 and the operating cam sleevel0 against rotation. The cam sleeve I1 is provided with a series of camnotches 34, helically arranged so that upon rotation of cam sleeve I! acorresponding series of levers 35, pivoted at 35, are selectivelyactuated sequentially. Levers 35 are normally biased against cam sleeveH by individualsprings 31. With the armature member 21 in the positionshown in Fig. 1, the levers 35 are free to respond to the pull of theirindividual springs 21 when the projections 38 thereon encounter theirrespective notches 34. However, if the armature member 2! assumes itsreleased or spacing position due to the de-energization of magnet 3| andpull of spring 33, the levers 35 are blocked against clockwise movementby the end of armature 21 engaging the upper extremity thereof. Ofcourse, it is understood that the member 21 vibrates for every changefrom marking to spacing position or vice versa.

Associated with each lever 35 isa selector bar 39 which is suitablymounted for sliding motion in comb bars 4| and 42. Bars 39 are normallybiased rightwardly against bar 4| by individual springs 43. Theright-hand ends of bars 39 normally reston a pivoted bail member 20, sothat immediately following the initiation of rotation of selector camsleeve the cam 30 releases the bail 20 which then responds to the pullof its spring 40 so that thereafter the right ends of bars 39 rest upontheir associated levers 35. Then, when lever 35 is rotated clockwise inresponse to a marking signal, the end of the associated bar 39 will fallin front of lever 35. When the projections .38 is cammed out of notch 34as the cam sleeve rotates, the lever 35 will be actuated in acounterclockwise direction to thereby urge the bar 39 associatedtherewith in a leftward direction, as viewed inFig. l.

cooperatively relatedto each bar 39 is a bell crank lever 44 pivotallymounted; on pivot shaft 45. Each lever 44 is biased counterclockwise bya spring 45 to maintain the lower extremity of its depending arm againstthe left end of bar 33. The horizontal arms of levers 44 are guided attheir extremities by a comb bar 41 and are each provided with adepending projection 48 which cooperates in blocking or latchingrelation with the ends of a corresponding series of code bars 49, asmore clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Each of the code bars 49 arenormally biased leftwardly, as viewed in Fig. 4, by an individual spring5|. Thus, each code bar 49 tends to vbear against the projection 48 ofits associated bell crank lever 44.

When the bell cranks 44 are rotated clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 1 inresponse to a marking impulse received by the selector magnet 3|, thecode bars 49 will become unlatched from projections 48 and will beactuated leftwardly (as viewed in Fig. 4) by springs 5|. A codebarrestoring bail 52 is pivoted at 53 (Fig. 4) on a bracket 54 securedto frame Bail 52 is provided with a vertical arm which coacts at itsextremity with a notch 55 in the bottom edge of each code bar 49. Thehorizontal arm of bail 52 bears, at its extremity, underneath the end ofa code bar restoring bail operating lever 56. pivoted at;5'| .(Fig. 3).The opposite end of lever56 bears against the periphery of the code barrestoring cam I8; A spring 60 acts to bias bail 52 counterclockwise(Fig. 4) to impart clockwise rotation to lever 56 (Fig. 3) to hold thecam follower end thereof against cam I8. Thus, following the se lectiveoperation of code bars 49, the cam I8 at the proper time acts to rotatelever 56 counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 3) to thereby rotate lever52 clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 4) to actuate the bail portion 56thereof rightwardly to carry the code bars 49 correspondingly to effecta latching engagement between the ends of code bars 49 and projections48 of bell cranks 44.

Code bars 49 are provided along their upper edges with code projectionsand notches which cooperate with a group of selectable bars 59superimposed above said code bars. Code bars 49'are provided withprojections 6| which are deflected to one side or the other of the codebars in accordance with a predetermined pattern. Selectable bars 59 arepivotally mounted on a pivot shaft 62 and are adapted to rest upon abail member 63 pivoted at 64. Fixed to ball 63 is a cam follower arm 65which coacts with the periphery of cam I9 and a spring 66 acting to biasthe arm 65 against cam I9. Bars 59 are provided with guide projections61 which cooperate with slots in the comb bar 41. Bars 59 are furtherprovided with an extension 68 to which one end of a spring 69 isanchored, the other end of said spring being secured to an associatedoperating lever 9| to 96.

The operating levers 9| to 96 are pivotally articulated to support 12through slots 13. Levers 9| to 96 are further guided near their left end(as viewed in Fig. 3) by the comb member 41.. An individual spring 14tends to normally pivot its associated levers 9| to 96 in acounterclockwise direction, which movement is restrained by spring 69which is stronger than spring 14. In effect, each bar 59 and itsassociated levers 9| to 96 move as a unit through the instrumentality ofspring 69, except as hereinafter set forth. Bars 9| to 96 are eachprovided with a latching shoulder 15 which cooperates with a latchinglever 16, pivoted at 11 and biased normally in a counterclockwisedirection by a spring 18.

Levers 9| to 96 are also provided with a shoulder or projection 19 whichcooperates with swinger 8| of a make-break contact member 82. Theselevers are further provided with a shoulder 33 which cooperates with anoperating bail 64v pivoted at 95. A link 86 is connected at one end tobail 84 and at the other end to the eccentric 2|, so that reciprocatingmotion is imparted to link 86 by the eccentric 2| to impart, in turn,oscillating motion to bail 84.

Associated with the set of code bars 49 is an additional bar 81, whichis the shift-unshift code bar." Bar 81 has no normal position, butremains in the position to which it was last moved and is retained insuch position by a detent spring 80 (Fig. 4) which cooperates with oneor the other of a pair of V-shaped notches 89 formed in the bottom edgeof bar 81. Bar 81 is provided with a pair of oppositely inclinedsurfaces 91 and 98 associated with the shift and unshift bars 92 and 95,respectively. When the unshift bar 95 is selectively operated, the codelug I90 thereon will coact with the inclined surface 93 to cam the bar81 leftwardly. Conversely, when the shift bar 92 is actuated (after aprior actuation of unshift bar 95) the code lug 99 thereon will coactwith inclined surface91 to actuate the shift bar 6 81 rightwardly, thedetent 88, of course, acting to retain bar 81 in its actuated position.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the bar 81 is provided with acode lug |0I cooperating with bar 93, and a code notch cooperating withbar 96. bars 93 and .96 are responsive to the carriage return signalwhen set up in the code bars 49. However, bar 93 is the lower casecarriage return bar, and bar 96 is the upper case carriage return bar.That is, bar 93 will be selected when. the shiftbar 81 has been firstactuated to the unshift or leftward position (as viewed in Fig, 4) toremove projection IOI from beneath the code lug I02 of bar 93, and tocause the code lug I03 of bar 96 to be blocked by the projection I94adjacent to notch I05 or bar 81. On the other hand, the upper casecarriage return bar 96 will be selectively operated when the shiftcontrol bar 81 has been first moved rightwardly in response to theunshift or letters code signal, to bring code notch I05 beneath the codelug I03, and the lug or projection |0| in blocking relation with codelug I02.

In the operation of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the code signalimpulses are received by the selector magnet 3| in Well known manner,the marking impulses attracting and holding the armature 21 and thespacing impulses releasing said armature. Since the normal stopcondition of the signal line is a marking condition (current on theline) the magnet 3| will be energized and the armature 21 will be heldattracted to thereby hold arm 25 thereof in blocking engagement withstop disc 26, to thus hold the operating elements on shaft I6 againstrotation. Upon receipt of a start signal impulse (which is of spacingnature) the magnet 3| will be de-energized thus releasing its armature21 to initiate rotation of the operating elements on shaft I6.

During the code signal cycle the armature 21 will act to block clockwisemovement of levers 35 in response to spacing signals, and will permitrotation of levers 35 in response to marking signals. If the signalimpulse is of marking nature, the lever 35 will move to the right andbar 39 fall off the top of said lever to thereby be operated leftwardlyby the lever 35 when the latter is cammed out of notch 34. The leftwardmovement of bar 39 will act to rotate its bell crank 44 clockwise tounlatch its associated code bar 49. After the five code bars 49 havebeen thus released or not released depending upon whether the signalimpulse was of a marking or spacing nature, a cam or sleeve I1 actsthrough clutch trip member 28 to release the sleeve I0 for rotation.

As the sleeve I0 begins its rotation, the cam I9 causes the bail 63 tobe released to permit the bars 59 to sense the code bars 49. The bar 59which finds an alignment of notches will be actuated further than therest of the bars 59 by spring 14 to bring shoulder 19 into the path ofthe swinger 8|. Also, shoulder 15 becomes engaged by its associatedlatch lever 16 to hold the selected lever 9|96 in its selected positionuntil its associated contact 82 has been operated. All of the bars 59are returned by ball 63 to their vertical position. The spring 69 of theselected bar 9|96 will be stretched since its associated bar cannot bereturned until it has become unlatched, as will presently appear. Withthe selected lever 9|96 thus latched.

the operating bail 84 is actuated, through link 86,

In the embodiment shown, both ciated contacts.

by-the eccentric 2|. As the bai1.84 is operated counterclockwise, itwill engage the shoulder 830i the selected bar 9I-96 to thereby actuatethe selected bar leftwardly, thus causing shoulder (9 thereof to operateswinger 8.! and asso- In its leftward movement, the shoulder 15 of theselected bar 9I-96 becomes disengaged from the latch 16 to permit theselected'bar to respond to the pull of its spring 69 to be returnedtoits upward position. Following theoperation'of 'bail 63 to return thebars 59 to the normal uppermost position, the cam I3 functions throughlevers 56 and 52 to return the code bars 49' to their unselectedposition whereat they are again latched by bell crank levers.

In'Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are illustrated the control apparatus that islocated at each-of the way stations in the loop circuit embracing thesequential control system according to the present invention. Thisapparatus, which is similar in many respects to the primary apparatusshown in Figs. 1 to 4, comprises a main frame I I which houses andsupports the various mechanisms comprising the unit. The frame II 0supports a motor III which has a pinion II2 secured to the armatureshaft H3. The pinion II2 meshes with a gear I I4 carried on an operatingshaft I I journaled in the side portions of frame IIO. Shaft I I5carries thereon a selector cam member H6, operating cams H1, H8, and H9,eccentric I2I and friction clutches I22 and I23. Friction clutch I23because of pressure exerted by compression spring I24 tends to rotatethe selector cam member IIS but this rotation is prevented by a stop armI25 which cooperates with a stop disc I26 of the friction clutch I23.Stop arm I25 is carried on the selector magnet armature I21 and operatesto release the disc I26 and clutch I23 for rotation when the selectormagnet armature I2! is released in response to a start impulse, as iswell known in the art. The operating cam sleeve I09 carrying cams H1,H8, and II9, and eccentric I2I, is released for rotation by a camprojection (not shown) on cam sleeve II6 acting through a trip-offbailidentified by the numeric I28, in the manner similar to that shownin Fig. 5 of U. S. Patent No. 1,989,710. When the bail I 28 is operatedit unlatches a stop disc I 29, which is a part of friction clutch I22,for a single cycle of rotation.

A selector magnet I3I is mounted on abracket I32 secured to the mainframe II!) and operates the selector armaturelever I27 which ispivotally articulated to bracket I32 and is normally biased clockwise(as viewed in Fig. 5) by a spring I33. With normal marking current onthe signal line the armature I21 assumes. the attracted position shownin Fig. 5, to thereby hold the selector cam sleeve H6 and the operatingcam sleeve I09 against ro tation; The cam sleeve I I6 is provided with aseries of cam notches I34, 'helically arranged so that upon rotation ofcam sleeve I I6 a corresponding series of levers I35, pivoted at I36,are selectively actuated sequentially. Levers I35 are normaily'biasedagainstcam sleeve I I6 by individual springs I31. With the armaturemember I2'I in the position shown in Fig. '5, the levers I35 are free torespond to the pull of their individual springs :37- when theprojections I38 thereon encounter their respective notches I34. However,if the armature member I21 assumes its released or s'paci'ng positiondue to the deenergization of magnet ISI and pull of spring I33, thelevers 35 are blocked asainstvclockwise springs 5 I.

8 movement by the end of the armature. Of course, it is understood thatthe member I21 vibrates for every change from marking to spacingposition or vice versa.

Associated with each lever I35 is a selector bar I39 which is suitablymounted for sliding-motion in comb bars MI and I42. Bars I39 arenormally biased rightwardly against bar I by individual springs I43. Theright-hand end of bars I39 normallyrest on a pivoted ball member I20, sothat immediately following the invitation of rotation of selector camsleeve H6 the cam I releases the bail I20 which then responds to thepull of its sprin I40 so that thereafter the right ends of bars I39 restupon their associated levers I35. Then, when lever I is rotatedclockwise, in response to a marking signal, the end of the associatedbar I39 will fall in front of lever I35. When the projection I38 iscammed out of notch I34 as the cam sleeve II6 rotates, the lever I35will be actuated in a counterclockwise directionto thereby urge the barI39 associated therewith in a leftward direction, Fig. 5.

Cooperatively related to each bar I39 is a bell crank lever I44pivotally mounted on pivot shaft I45. Each lever I44 is biasedcounterclockwise by a spring I46 to maintain the lower extremity of itsdepending arm against the left end of bar I39. The horizontal arms oflevers I44 are guided at their extremities by a comb bar I41 and areeach provided with a depending projection I48 which cooperates inblocking or latching relation with the ends of a corresponding series ofcode bars I49. Each of the code bars I49 are normally biased in themanner shown in Fig. 4 by an individual spring (not shown). bar 149tends to bear against the projection 48 of its associated bell cranklever I44.

When the bell cranks I44 are rotated clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 5) inresponse to a. marking impulse received by the selector magnet I3I, thecode bars I 49 will become unlatched by projection I48 and will beactuated downwardly (as viewed in Fig. 6) by their springs similar to Acode bar restoring bail I52 is pivoted at I53 (Fig. 7) on a bracket (notshown) secured to frame III). Bail I52 is provided with a vertical armwhich coacts at its extremity with a notch (not shown) in the bottomedge of each code bar I49 in a manner similar to the primary unitpreviously described. The horizontal arm of bail I52 bears, at itsextremity, underneath the end of a code bar restoring bail operatinglever I56 pivoted at I51 (Figs. 6 and 7). The opposite end of lever I56bears against the periphery of the code bar restoring cam II9. A sprin(not shown) acts to bias lever I52 to impart clockwise rotation to leverI56 (Fig. 7) to hold the cam follower end thereof against cam II9. Thus,following the selective operation of code bars I49, the cam H9 at theproper time acts to rotate lever I56 counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig.7) to thereby rotate lever I 52 to actuate the bail portion thereof tocarry the code bars I49 correspondingly to eifect a latching engagementbetween the ends of code bars I49 and projections I48 of bell cranksI44.

Code bars I49 are provided along their upper edges with code projectionsand notches which cooperate with a group of selectable bars I59superimposed above said code bars. Code bars I49 are provided withprojections I6I which are deflected to one side or the other of the codebars in accordance with a predetermined pattern. Selectable bars I59 arepivotally articulated to Thus each code support I12 and are adapted torest upon a bail member I63 pivoted at I64. Fixed to bail I63 is a camfollower arm I65 which coacts with the periphery of cam I I1, a springI66 acting to bias the arm I65 against cam II1. Bars I59 are providedwith guide projections I61 which cooperate with slots in the comb barI41. Bars I59 are further each provided with an extension I68 to whichone end of a spring I69 is anchored, the other end of said spring beingsecured to an associated operating lever I9I to I99.

The operating levers I9I to I99 are pivotally articulated to support I12through slots I13. Levers I9I to I99 are further guided near their leftend (as viewed in Fig. '7) by the comb member I41. An individual springI14 tends to pivot its associated lever I9I to I99 normally in acounterclockwise direction, which movement is restrained by spring I69which is stronger than spring I 14. In effect, bar I59 and a lever I9Ito I99 move as a unit through the instrumentality of spring I69, exceptas hereinafter set forth. Bars I9I to I99 are each provided with alatching shoulder I which cooperates with a latching lever I16, pivotedat I11 and biased normally in a counterclockwise direction by a springI18.

Levers I9I to I99 are also provided with a shoulder I19 which cooperateswith a contact controlling ratchet assembly I8I in a manner which willhereinafter appear. These levers are further provided with a shoulderI83 which cooperates with an operating bail I84 pivoted at I85. A linkI86 is connected at one end to bail I84 and at the other end to aneccentric I2 I, to impart, in turn, oscillating motion to bail I84.

Associated with the set of code bars I49 is an additional bar I81, whichis the shift-unshift code bar. Bar I81 has no normal position, butremains in the position to which it was last moved, and is retained insuch position bv a detent spring similar to spring 88 shown in Fig. 4.Bar I81 is provided on its bottom edge with a slot which receives thestem portion I88 of a T-shaped lever I09 pivoted at I90. One arm ofT-lever I89 cooperates with a proiection I66 on lever I99 and the otherarm is similarly related to lever I93 (Figs. 6 and '7). In theembodiment disclosed, lever I 93 is the Letters or unshift lever andlever I 99 is the Figures or shift lever. When the lever I93 is actuatedleftwardly (Fig. 6) in a manner presently set forth the lever I89 willbe rotated counterclockwise about pivot I96 to impart forwardmovement(downward in Fig. 6) to the shift-unshift bar I61. On the other hand, ifthe lever I99 is actuated leftwardly, the lever I89 will be rotatedclockwise to impart rearward movement to the bar I81.

The ratchet assembly IBI is revolvably carried on a shaft I suitablyjournaled in the frame I I6 and is provided with a helical arrangementof arms 262, one arm 202 being provided'for each lever I9I to I99. Eacharm 202 terminates in a ratchet tooth conformation and an inclined camsurface 263. A spring 204 tends to rotate the ratchet assembly I8I in aclockwise direction and to return the assembly I8I against a stop 265mounted on the frame H0. The ratchet assembly I8I is also provided witha ratchet segment 206 which cooperates with a detent pawl 261 pivotallymounted at 208 to frame II0. Pawl 201 is normally biased in a clockwisedirection (as viewed in Fig. 7) by a spring 269 to cause the camfollower portion thereof to ride on the periphery of cam I I8. (1

Also carried on the ratchet assembly IBI is a contact operating arm 2(Figs. 5 and 6) which cooperates with the insulated portion 2I2 of apair of contacts 2I3 suitably mounted on comb plate I41. Cooperatingwith the insulated portion 2 I2 of contacts 2I3 is a locking member 2 I4pivoted at 2I5. Member 2I4 is normally biased in a clockwise directionby a spring 2I6 so that when the arm 2 has been rotated or stepped in acounterclockwise direction, in the manner presently set forth, until itcloses the contacts 2 I 3, the insulated portion 2 I2 will becomelatched by the member 2 I4 to hold the contacts 2 I3 closed, while theratchet assembly I8I (and arm 2I I) is returned to its position againstthe stop 205.

In response to a predetermined code signal the bar 2| 1 (similar to barsI59) will be selectively operated. Therefore, as the bar 2" is thusactivated counterclockwise due to the presence of an alignment ofnotches therefor in the set of code bars I49, a member 2I9 pivotedthereto and depending therefrom will depress the lever 2 I4 to releaseit from latching engagement with the portion 2I2 of contact 2I3.

As shown in Figs. '1 and 10, the ratchet assembly I8I also cooperates,through each of its arms 202, with a corresponding series of cutoutlevers 2 I 9 pivoted on a rod 22 I, so that when the assembly I8I isreturned to its extreme clockwise position against stop 205, each arm202 will contact the horizontal arm of its associated lever 2 I9, tohold the levers 2 I9 in the position shown in Fig. 7 away from thecommon stop pin 222 and against the pull of individual springs 223. g

In the operation of the unit shown in Figs. 5, 6, '7, and 10, the shaftH5 is constantly rotating, and the sleeves H6 and I20 thereon are,through the yielding attributes of friction clutches I22 and I23, heldin their stop positions by stop elements I25 and I28, respectively.

Insofar as the selector mechanism of this unit is substantially similarto that of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the operation thereofwill be described only briefly. As the code signal impulses are receivedby the selector magnet I3I, the start signal initiates rotation of theselector cam sleeve II6 which, through the cooperation of levers I35 andarmature lever I21, may or may not actuate bars I39 leftwardly to impartcounterclockwise rotation to bell crank levers I44 to unlatch the codebars I49 to establish an alignment of notches corresponding to thereceived signal, to eifect the selective operation of a lever I59.

Upon the selection of a lever I59, its associated lever I9I to I99 isoperated simultaneously therewith by the spring I14 individual theretoand by the projection I61, to cause the selected lever I9I to I99 tobecome latched up by the coaction of latching pawl I16 with shoulderI15. Now, if the lever I9I has been selected, its shoulder I19 willbecome aligned with the tooth on the first (or upper) arm 202 so thatwhen lever I9I is actuated leftwardly (as viewed in Fig. 7) by the bailI84, the ratchet assembly I9I is rotated or stepped a unit distanceangularly and held thereat by the detent pawl 201 cooperating withratchet segment 266. As the assembly I8I rotates in this manner theextremities 224 (Fig. 10) recede from the horizontal arms of cutoutlevers 2I9 so that as the lever I9I is returned to its rightwardposition by its spring I 14 (following the return of bail I84 to itsclockwise position) the projection or shoulder I19 of the returned leverI9I will ride up the slope 263 of the arm 202 associated with ill lever19 l whereupon shoulder 7225;: .of lever; .19 I will be. lifted clearzofthe vertical: armrzofzzcutofi .lever 12 I 9 :thusr-pern'iitting l: lever21 9:.to :be .110- -ttated* by. its; spring; 1223::against :stop. 1-22,thus causing lever f2l 9 to support lever :19]. ilnthis "will'bedisengaged :from"-ratchet segment 2.06

:momentarily-bymam Il8,-b ut,will become re- ..engaged before-:shouldenITS-:iszagain released ,..from arm 202. \ThGiDlllIJOSQIOI"this.iS to.in-

sure a proper stepping:=-action-:and-.still-:permit the return. oftherratchet assembly -.i-8l to its clockwise position againstwstop-ZBSin the 'event 3 that the levers I'9l ato 'l'99*do-not follow each otherin consecutive :order. The codes .foreach of the-levers 19! :to lfl9careaso chosen: as to agree: with a' predetermined 'group of codesig- .nals ;assignedito ithezwparticular unit. at each way station so.that when a' sequence: :of .code signals :agreeingmith apredeterminedgroup: is applied to the signalgline ..the::2ratchet assemblyxslillsat.Itherstation identified by the predetermined group "will be rotated sothat its contact arm 2| i ':will close 1 its .associated contact 213 andbecome locked by-detent lever :2. *:However,--'should any codesignaltincluded-intthe predetermined group be missing,f z.the.;assembly481 will he vstepped until: one of thegcodes in the group 'disagreeswiththe: assigned code, whereupon the assembly 1 l8! will bexreturned toits position against the stop 205.

It will beobserved that lever I92 (Fig. 6) .is :controlledby two of thebars 159, which bars wareprovided with laterally directed portions 226and 221: superimposed above and in cooperative engagement' with leverI92.

Having-reference tokFig. 9, ardiagram-of-a loop circuitcomprisingacentralor master con- ..tro1 station 23! and apluralityzofiway stations-232 connected serially-byga signal 1J1iIl872331iS shown. There'may be'75 or-'more way "stations .in the .loop circuit. :The central station,invadditlonto the, electrical relay arrangement shown rin'Figv-fi,isjprovided .With the apparatus-disclosed-in Figs. 1 to-J4, which isidentified-as234 in 'Fig. 9. -Also; included in the central station..clrcuit'are two tape transmitterunits 235 and .236 which are of: theconstruction-shown 'in U. '3. :Patent No.-12;29.6,,-845, issuedSeptember29, 1942, to M. Goetz. ;-At .the-waytstations "-232rthe system.comprises the apparatus shown in 'Figs. -5, 6, 7, and 10,*which isidentified as .231 in Fig. '9. There is-alsol included in thewaystationcircuit :a tape transmitter --238.-similar* :to .units-235 and235.

Having reference to Fig. 8, the signal line 233 is indicatedas derivingits signal current-from battery 239. v. The line circuit extendsfrombat-..tery. 239,.through the winding of;selector magnet 31 of the controlunit 234.(Fig. 9)-v atcentral station 23L through the telegraph printer240, through :the transmitting contacts 2 of transmitter 235, through.the, transmitting con- .itaots .242rof1transmitter 1236, thenthrough-:the i.;transmitting.contacts 243 of theitransmitter 238 at theway.station;232, through the winding of selector-magnet l'3lrof;thecontrol unit'2-3'I,-.-and hack to battery 239. 1 Sinceithe stop contactsof the sets oftransmittingxcontacts 24 I F242,. and

243are normally-closed, thelinecircuitis closed and its-normal conditionisjthereiore-marking. Accordingly, the selector magnets 3I'and l3l are.normally energized.

Preparatory to' sequentialmessage collection a continuous loop oftape.isipreparedhaving perforated therein, in additionito-the Sequence'Collectionl-Ieading group of code signals mentioned previously, groups'of; code signals, each: group pertaining to a particular way station,.the said groups arranged'in the order in which it is desired to callin'the way stations. Therloop. o1 tape-need -be changed only when arearrange- -ment of the orderin-which-station transmission occurs isdesired. 'Each group of code signals pertaining. to; a; :particular" waystation comprises conditioning codes-followed by the stationidentification letters of the way stationfromwhich transmission isdesired followed by' further conditioning codes. 4 101 examplainthesystem according'to the present invention, such a group of codesignals would comprise the following codes: Carriage Return, CarriageReturn, Letters or unshift, A,'B, C (or otherstation identificationcharacters); Spaceand Letters.

The loop-of tape'just mentioned is'properly-Anserted in thetape-tnansmitter 235 withrthetsequence collection heading group of: codesignals properly adjusted with respect to thetransmittlng contacts 24!..The signal line is then'openedior a' predetermined inter-val of time by.operating the switch 244. Thevopen line-onfbreak condition is employedto shut: downxany transmitter-distributor that might be transmitting .ontheline at the time thesequence collection is due to begin.

Thereafter; to.- initiate "sequential transmission the switch244-isclosed (and then the'start-key 245 is closed, thusicompleting a' circuitfrom'battery 238, -through.key- .245; over .conductor 2.", and throughtheright-handwinding of start-re- .lay 246 to. ground. Relay. 246.uponenergizing pulls up itsarmatureszfl, 248, and. 249,. therebyopening contact. 25! =-.and .closing .contactsh252 and 253.. The.closingof contact252. completes a locking circuit for. relay 246, which,extends from battery 254, through contact 255, over conductor 256, overarmature 248, through. c0ntact252, then through theright-hand winding ofrelay 246 to ground. With the present embodiment..the start key 245 isopened after the relay 24$.becomes locked up, becausexthereafter theadvancement of the loop of tape'toselect the way stations isaccomplished. automatically. In the Sequence Collection Heading .thedash or hyphen code signal is.substituted.for';the normalspace codesignal because in the operation of the present embodiment of theinvention the space code signal has a special function,aswillhereinaiter appear.

Upon the closing of contact 253 a circuit is completed from battery251,v through contact- 253, over armature. 249, over conductor 258,through tape out switch 259, then through the windings of clutch magnet26L to v ground. Since the transmittingunit .235 may be of thetype shownin U. S. Patent No. 2,296,845, it willbe evident that the energizationofi'magnet'ZGI permits the transmitting cam shaft 450rotate'tooperatethe transmitting. contacts 2 H sequentialy in accordancewith the code perforations sensed in the tape (not shown). Following thetransmission of the Sequence Collection Heading perforated in the loopof tape, the groups of signals pertaining to the way stations to beselected are then transmitted. As previously mentioned, the groups ofcode signals for selecting a way station comprises a group ofconditioning code signals (C. R., C. R., Letters), the stationidentification code signals (ABC, or any other set of characters), andthe lock code signals (Space, Letters). The efiect of these code signalson the selector 231 at the way station, as has been set forthhereinbefore, is to rotate the contact arm 2!! to efiect the closure ofa contact 2!3 to initiate transmission from the selected way station tothe primary or central station.

As set forth previously, the space code signal performs a specialfunction. This function resides in stopping the transmission of stationselecting signals from transmitter 235 during the time transmissiontakes place from the way station transmitter 238. When the space codesignal isimpresed on the signal line 233 the selector magnet 3! iseffective to cause the selection of the space selector bar 94 of theselector apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The selection and operation ofbar 94 effects the opening momentarily of contact 255, the eifect ofwhich is to open the locking circuit for relay 246, which then releasesits armatures 241, 248, and 249. Upon releasing the armature 249, theenergizing circuit for clutch magnet 26! is broken, to thereby arresttransmission from the transmitter 235 under the control of theafore-mentioned loop of tape. However, due to the overlap in theselector mechanism exemplified by magnet 3!, the Letters code signal istransmitted to place all printers on the line in an unshift condition,and to allow for line propagation time. As the arm 2!! of control unit231 at the selected way station 232 is rotated its full distance, itbecomes latched up by the latch 2l4 to hold the contact 2!3 closed. Theclosing of contact 2!3 establishes an energizing circuit for theclutchmagnet 262 of the tape transmitter 238, which extends from groundedbattery 263, through contact 2!3, over conductor 264, through thewinding of clutch magnet 262 to ground. The tape transmitter 236 is alsoof the type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,296,845, and the operationof magnet 262 effects the release of the transmitting cam shaft forrotation, to sequentially operate the transmitting contacts 243 inaccordance with perforations in the tape, to transmit to the primarystation 23! the weather information (or other message matter) containedin the tape.

At the conclusion of the message contained in the way station tape, a,group of code signals indicative of message termination is perforatedtherein, the effect of which, upon receipt by the primary station 23!,is to initiate transmission again from the loop of tape in transmitter235 to select the next way station, and also to automatically stoptransmission at the way station from which message transmission has justbeen concluded. The message end group of signals comprises, in thepresent embodiment of the invention, the following code signals: Figures(or shift), Carriage Return (C. R.) and Letters (unshift). The receiptof these signals byxthe selector magnet !3! of the control unit 231- atthe way station 232 will have the effect of selecting the upper casecarriage return bar 2!1 (Fig. 6) which, when operated, acts through theplungthe selector bar 96 in the manner previously de-- scribed inconnection with Figs. 1 to 4. The bar 96 upon selection is operated toclose contact 265 to complete an energizing circuit for relay 266 fromgrounded battery 261, through contact 265, over conductor 268, throughthe winding of relay 266, through contact 25!, and over armature 241 toground. Relay 266 when thus operated pulls up its armature 269 to closea contact 21!, thereby completing a locking circuit for relay 266 fromgrounded battery 212, through contact 21!, over armature 269, throughthe winding of relay 266, through contact 25! and over armature 241 toground.

The contact 213 is a universal contact and is operated by bar 3! inresponse to all code signals. Relays 214 and 215 are of theslow-to-release type and are controlled by contact 213. Thus, whencontact 213 closes, the relays 214 and 215 become energized over obviousenergizing circuits. When transmission from the way station ceases, thecontact 213 remains open, and the relay 215 releases after a period oftime to allow its armature 216 to close contact 211 to complete acircuit for energizing the left-hand winding of relay 246 from groundedbattery 212, through contact 21!, over armature 269, over conductor 218,over armature 216, through contact 211, over conductor 219, through theleft-hand winding of relay 246 to ground.

Relay 246 will pull up its armatures 241, 248, and 249 to complete alocking circuit therefor as previously traced from battery 254 andthrough contact 252 (now closed). Also, contact 25! will be opened tobreak the reviously described lockingcircuit for relay 266. The openingof contact 21! (due to the de-energization of relay 266) will break theenergizing circuit for the left-hand winding of relay 246, but thisrelay will nevertheless remain energized over the previously de-'-scribed locking circuit. Moreover, the contact 253 of locked relay 246will be closed to complete an energizing circuit (as previously traced)for the clutch magnet 26! to again initiate the operation of tapetransmitter 235 to transmit the group of code signals pertaining to thenext way station to be selected.

After the next way station 232 has been called in and its contact 2 !3has been closed, the transv mission of the message matter previouslyprepared thereat will be initiated and will continue until themessage-end group of signals has beencontact 259 in the manner disclosedin U; S. Patent No. 2,296,845, wherein pin 89 (Fig. 4 of the patent) isthe sixth or tapeout pin.

In the event that the selected or called way station fails to respond tothe call of themaster control or primary station, or in case the waystatiomjust: terminating its message; transmission;

fails-to send an end-of-messagegroup of signals, provision is'made forboth of these eventualities by: providing in the. circuit arrangementshown in Fig. 8, a slow-to-release relay 2. The universal contact 273closes in response to signals transmitted by unit 235 as well as unit238. Thus, so long. as signals are being impressed on the signal. line233 from whichever source, bar 9! will be selected and contact 273 willbe closed and opened continually and accordingly, relays 214 and 215,being slow-to-release, are continuously energized. In this mannersufiicient time is given for the. end-of-message group of signals to bereceived. or for the next selected way station to respond. In eitherevent, after a predetermined release time, the armature 282 of relay214-willbe released to closecontact 283 to complete an energizingcircuit for clutch release magnet 288 of the fixed message transmitter236, which circuit extends from grounded battery 285, over armature282,through contact 283, over conductor 29 I, then through the winding ofmagnet 288 to Round.

Magnet 288 operates to release the transmitting-cam shaft for rotationto operate the transmitting contacts 242- sequentially in accordancewith cam projections of so-called fixed message cam cylinders of, thetype shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,879,524 granted September 27, 1932, toR. D. Salmon et al., wherein the fixed message is transmitted during asinglerevolution of the cam shaft. The, fixed message. transmitted overline 233 by the fixed message transmitter 236 comprisesthe follow:Missing-Figures-Carriage Return-Letters." As these signals are impressedon the signal line 233 the selector magnet 3| will, of course, respondand accordingly, the universal selector bar 9| will again be operatedconstantly,

thereby closing contact 213 periodically to effect the operation ofrelay 214. Relay 2M remains energized and accordingly the contact 283remains open, thus breaking the circuit for relay 288.

The group of signals comprising the fixed trols the operation oftransmitter 235 to effect the transmission of the station selection codesignals.

While the foregoing description has been explained and described withreference to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be restrictedin any manner to the language of the detailed specification nor to theillustrations in the accompanying drawings, except as indicated in thehereunto appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A selector 'mechanism comprising a plurality of cams, a followerassociated with each cam and urged to engage the surface thereof, saidcams having low portions into which the followers are urged followed byraised portions for actuating the followers invariably, a slidableactuator associated with each follower, a signal responsive means commonto all of the followers for blocking their movement toward the lowportions of their associated cams,.a series'of code bars. a code barlatch associated with each code bar and slidable actuator; a pluralityof code levers. means for facilitating the selection of one of. saidcode levers upon the permutable unlatching of said code bars by saidcode latches under the control of said signal responsive means, an

1 6 operating level yieldably associated with eacho! said code levers,detent means for retaining said operating levers in operated, positionwhen. operated as a result of the. selection of its associated codelever, contact means associated with said operating levers, and anoperating bail dually effective to actuate a selected operating lever tooperate said contact means and to free the operated operating lever fromits detent means.

2. A selector mechanism comprising a plurality of cams, a followerassociated with each cam and urged to engage the surface thereof, saidcams having low portions into which the followers are urged followed byraised portions for actuating the followers invariably, a slidableactuator associated with each follower, a signal responsive means commonto all of the followers for blocking their movement toward the lowportions of their associated cams, a series of code bars, a code barlatch associated with each code bar and slidable actuator, a pluralityof code levers, means for facilitating the selection of one 01 said codelevers upon the permutable unlatching of said code bars by code latchesunder the control of said signal responsive means, an operating leveryieidably associated with each of said code levers, a contact operatinginstrumentality common to said operating levers, said instrumentalitycomprising a cylindrical portion, a series of elements helicallyarranged around the periphery of said portion and adapted to be impingedupon by said operating levers, a contact, and an operating baileffective to actuate said operating levers, whereby said operatinglevers when operated in a predetermined order are effective through saidelements to actuate said instrumentality to operate said contact.

3'. A selector mechanism comprising a plurality of cams, a followerassociated with each cam and urged to engage the surface thereof, saidcams having low portions into which the followers are urged followed byraised portions for actuating the followers invariably, a slidableactuator associated with each follower, a signal responsive means commonto all of the followers for blocking their movement toward the lowportions of their associated cams, a, series of code bars, a code barlatch associated with each code bar and slidable actuator, a pluralityof code levers, means for facilitating the selection of one of said codelevers upon the permutable unlatching of said code bars by code latchesunder the control of said signal responsive means, an operating leveryieldably associated with each of said code levers, a contact operatinginstrumentality common to said operating levers, said instrumentalitycompris ing a cylindrical portion, a series of elements helicallyarranged around the periphery of said portion and adapted to be impingedupon by said operating levers, a contact, an operatin bail effective toactuate said operating levers, whereby said operating levers whenoperated in a prede termined order are effective through said elementsto actuate said instrumentality to operate said contact, means forlatching said contact in its operated position, and means responsive tothe operation of a special code lever for unlatching said contactlatching means.

4. In a telegraph apparatus, mechanism con,- trolled by received signalscomprising cyclically operable cam means to control selective opera;-tions, a plurality of slidable actuators associated with said cam means,a series of code bars, a code bar latch associated with each code barand slidableactuator, a plurality of code levers, means for facilitatingthe selection of one of said code levers upon the permutable unlatchingof said code bars by said code latches under the control of saidmechanism, an operating lever yieldably associated with each of saidcode levers, detent means for retaining said operating levers inoperated position when operated as. a result of the selection of itsassociated code lever, contact means associated with saidoperatinglevers, and an operating bail dually effective to actuate a selectedoperating lever to operate said contact means and to free the operatedoperating lever from its detent means. I v

5. In a telegraph apparatus, mechanism controlled by received signalscomprising cyclically operable cam means to controlselective operations,a plurality of slldable'actua-tors associated with said cam means, aseries of code bars, a code bar latch associated with each code bar andslidable actuator, a plurality of code levers, means for facilitatingthe selection ofbne of said code levers upon the permutable unlatchingof said code bars by said code latches under the control of saidmechanism, an operating lever yieldably associated with each of saidcode levers, detent means for retaining said operating levers inoperated position when operated as a result of the selection of itsassociated code" lever, a contact device associated with each operatinglever, and

an operating bail dually effective to actuate a selected operating leverto operatesaid contact device and to free the operated operating leverfrom its detent means.

6. In a telegraph apparatus, mechanism controlled by received signalscomprising cyclically operable cam means to control selectiveoperations, a plurality of slidable actuators associated with said cammeans, a series of code bars, a code bar latch associated with each codebar and slidable actuator, a plurality of code levers, means forfacilitating the selection of one of said code levers upon thepermutable unlatching of said code bars by said code latches under thecontrol of said mechanism, an operating lever operatively associatedwith each of said code levers, means for rendering said operating leversefiective when operated as a result of the selection of their associatedcode levers, contact means associated with said operating levers, and anoperating bail eflective to actuate selected operating levers to operatesaid contact means.

7. In combination, signal responsive means, permutation means, latchingmeans for normally retaining said permutation means in non-selectedposition, said latching means controlled by said signal responsive meansto efiect selective operation of said permutation means, a plurality orcode members, means for facilitating the selection of one of said codemembers upon a selective operation of said permutation means, anoperating lever operatively associated with each of said code members,means for rendering said operating levers effective when said levers areoperated as a result of the selection of their associated code members,contact means associated with said operating levers, and an operatingbail effective to actuate selected operating levers to operate saidcontact means.

8. In a selector, a rotatable shaft, a contact means, signal responsivemeans comprising permutation elements, a plurality of bars selectableunder the control of said permutation elements, a correspondingplurality of stepping members, each member yieldably associated with aselectable bar, detent means for retaining said stepping members inoperated position when operated as a result of the selection of itsassociated selectable bar, a contact operating cylinder carried on saidshaft, said cylinder provided with a helically arranged series ofprojections, cooperatively related to said stepping members, and anoperating bail cooperable with said stepping members to effectuatethrough said helically arranged series projections the rotation of saidcylinder to operate said contact means.

9. In combination, signal responsive means, permutation means controlledby said signal responsive means, a plurality of code members, means forfacilitating the selection of one of said code members upon a selectiveoperation of said permutation means, an operating lever operative- 1yassociated with each of said code members, detent means for retainingsaid operating levers in operated position when operated as a result ofthe selection of its associated code members, contact means associatedwith said operating levers, and an operating bail dually efiective toactuate a selected operating lever to operate said contact means and tofree the operated operating lever from its detent means.

WALTER J. ZENNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,943,475 Gurley Jan. 16, 19342,112,234 Beattie et al Mar. 29, 1938 2,117,580 Snavely May 17, 19382,154,547 Walker Apr. 18, 1939 2,334,205 Kleinschmidt Nov. 16, 19432,404,81 Reinhold et a1. July 30, 1946

